By the early ’90s the Crip empire boasted tens of thousands of members. ibid.
They live on the edge with little regard for the law: a biking brotherhood ready to defend their reputation and way of life against any who challenge it. But their love of the bike would push many to a point of no return. Outlaw Empires s1e2: American Bikers, Discovery 2012
These patches they identify territories, they identify specific acts of valour. ibid.
Outlaws competed for new members. ibid.
As drugs flood the US the perfect agent is called in to take down the source. Undercover: Double Life: Operation Pizza Connection, Investigation Channel 2012
The Sicilian Mafia which is reaping billions of dollars from the highly profitable heroin trade. ibid.
A massive heroin ring distributed through pizza joints. ibid.
Criminal organisations on both sides of the Atlantic are hit hard. ibid.
The Appalachians Conference was a meeting of all the leaders of organised crime ... and a very observant state trooper was paying attention to all the fancy cars going up to this estate, and raided it. Mark Lavell, Organised Crime Historian
J Edgar Hoover, legendary head of the FBI, for 48 years he ruled the Bureau with an iron fist and a racist heart. American Gangster s3e5: J Edgar Hoover
J Edgar Hoover is not your typical American gangster. He and his crew committed their crimes and shielded their racial agenda under cover of law. ibid.
‘He was as close to pathological about Dr King as one could find.’ ibid. Dr James Turner
The FBI did little to stop the violence. ibid.
For decades millions of people have come here in search of the American dream but for many that dream is quickly disappearing. Thousands of people around the state are losing their jobs every day … Our experts are going to give you everything you need. You can make a $1,000 in an hour … Masters of the trade are going to reveal to you their secrets. How to Make Money Selling Drugs, 2012
Marijuana: it’s the most profitable farmed product in the country. ibid.
Now that you’ve got some customers you’re going to need some product. Where do you get it? Ask a cop. ibid.
If you don’t end up getting killed by rivals or hooked on your own product, the cops are going to pick you up eventually. In today’s drug market, you’re risking your life for less than minimum wage. It’s not worth it. ibid.
Consider an exit strategy. ibid.
90% of those locked up under the Rockefeller Drug Laws are African American and Latino. ibid.
To be a big time player you need to get committed. It’s time to start building a business. A K is a kilo of cocaine; a single kilo can run you about $20,000. ibid.
You’re going to want some new options on your vehicle. ibid.
The trick to becoming a kingpin in any industry is innovation. ibid.
You’re almost ready for the top level – running a drug cartel. ibid.
Secret Level: New Player: US Government … All you need is a drugs war. ibid.
Richard Nixon would pick up where Harry Anslinger left off. Nixon used drug policy as a weapon to move against those he thought of as his political enemies … The Reagan administration stepped up the rhetoric. ibid.
1986 Federal drug war budget: $2.9 billion. ibid.
‘Chemical warfare against the youth of this nation.’ ibid. politician
2012: 50,000 SWAT raids a year. ibid.
2012 Federal drug war budget: $25.2 billion. ibid.
You’ll be so used to killing, nothing will phase you any more. ibid.
Managing Your Drug Cartel: To run a global company, you need operatives all over the world. ibid.
During the 1970s cities across the US and Canada were awash with cocaine smuggled in through the port of Montreal by the Irish/Canadian criminal organisation the West End Gang. The Irish Mob s1e4, 2016
Mystery surrounds who was responsible for his [Frank Dunie Ryan] murder. ibid.
The story of Brian O’Dea begins in St John’s, the largest city on the island of Newfoundland in east Canada … In the early 1970s cocaine traffickers in South America were starting to put together the pieces of what would soon be a multi-billion-dollar empire, and Brian O’Dea was part of it from the very start. He started making regular trips to Bogota. The Irish Mob s1e5
Throughout the 1970s Brian O’Dea continued to bring regular shipments of cocaine into the US from both South America and Jamaica. ibid.
In the mid ’70s O’Dea began to put together a major marijuana smuggling operation. ibid.
It took nearly a year to set up the second load. And this one would be twice as large: fifty tons of marijuana, with a street value of $200 million. ibid.
O’Dea was sentenced to ten years in prison but was released on parole after serving five. He returned to Canada. ibid.
By the mid 1950s the Irish influence on criminal activity had dwindled: the Mafia now had the upper hand. There remained some powerful Irish criminal gangs in cities like New York and Boston, but aside from that the Mafia reigned supreme. One of the most valued Irishmen in the Mafia was Frank the Irishman Sheeran. The Irish Mob s1e6, 2007
Sheeran flew to Detroit to work for Jimmy Hoffa. ibid.
Jimmy Hoffa’s number was up. Bufalino had requested Frank Sheeran would get rid of Hoffa … he had no choice. ibid.
For 20 years one man ran the city of Boston: he controlled the cops, the politicians and the criminals. His name was James Joseph Bulger. ibid.
The FBI protected him from investigation. ibid.
Running ain’t nothing new to me. Natural Born Outlaws s1e2: Kelly, Discovery 2015
If Hoover can solve a big brand-named kidnapping [$200,000] like this, it will be a huge boost for the FBI.’ ibid.
Kelly was our first big scalp. ibid. investigator
Baby Face Nelson is close to being a homicidal maniac. Natural Born Outlaws s1e6: Baby Face Nelson
Sioux Falls, South Dakota 6th March 1934: ‘Nelson is the designated the lobby man’ … ‘With his Tommy gun, and starts spinning around shooting through the windows at the motorcycle cop, and screaming and laughing maniacally. ibid. commentators
Just don’t call me Baby Face. ibid. Nelson
The death of Billy the Kid marks the end of an era … One of the most controversial figures in the old West. Robert Redford’s The West aka The American West V: Outlaw Rising, AMC 2016
In Lincoln County, New Mexico, Billy the Kid is determined to avenge the murder of his friend and mentor John Tunstall. Tunstall’s death is orchestrated by a corrupt group of wealthy businessmen known as the House. Robert Redford’s The West aka The American West VI: The Big Killing
After failing to recruit Billy the Kid in Las Vegas, Jesse James has finally managed to pull together a new gang. ibid.
Lincoln County, New Mexico 1881: After surrendering to lawman Pat Garrett, Billy the Kid awaits his trial for the murder of corrupt Lincoln County sheriff William J Brady. Robert Redford’s The West aka The American West VII: Frontier Justice
The government knows they can use Billy the Kid to send a message about lawlessness in the West. ibid.
Once again Billy the Kid has pulled off an impossible escape leaving two deputies dead. ibid.
Billy the Kid is dead at 21 years old. ibid.
In a matter of 30 seconds 30 rounds are fired: three cowboys lay dead including Ike Clanton’s brother Billy; Wyatt’s brothers and Doc Holliday are wounded while Ike Clanton gets away. Robert Redford’s The West aka The American West VIII
Wyatt and his men are portrayed as criminals … What Wyatt doesn’t realise is that by staying in Tombstone he is making himself an easy target for Ike Clanton and his gang. ibid.